CBD has been reported to interact with a variety of medications, including antiepileptic drugs, antidepressants, opioid pain relievers, and THC. However, it can also interact with many other products, such as over-the-counter drugs, herbal products, and prescription drugs. In some cases, the use of other medications may need to be modified or reduced to prevent serious problems. The consequences of drug interactions depend on many factors, such as the dose of CBD, the dose of another medication, and the person's underlying health status.
Older adults are particularly vulnerable to drug interactions due to their tendency to take multiple medications and age-related physiological changes that affect how our bodies process medications. Studies have shown that taking CBD and clobazam together is safe, but they recommend monitoring drug levels during treatment. In some cases, your doctor may want to check the plasma levels of certain medications in your blood. As more people use cannabinoid products, there is limited information on how these products can interact with other medications.
Drugs with a narrow therapeutic index are particularly dangerous because there is a small margin between a therapeutic dose and a toxic one. When discussing treatment options with your doctor, make sure to mention all medications you are currently taking. Grapefruit can interfere with the activity of CYPs and slow down the way these proteins usually break down medications. This means that CBD can deactivate the effects of all medications that pass through the cytochrome p450 system.
The first consequence of this interaction is that the drug will lose effectiveness; secondly, this situation may cause higher levels of other compounds to remain in the body at the same time. To avoid any second-hand side effects associated with taking CBD along with certain medications, it is important to establish the right strategy for supplementation. Before using any CBD product, it is recommended to consult a doctor if you have a serious medical condition or use prescription medications. A pharmacist can also provide valuable information about possible interactions with supplements, herbal products (many of which have their own drug interactions), or over-the-counter or prescription medications. CBD is a powerful compound that can interact with a variety of body systems, including the one responsible for processing the active ingredients in medications.
To date, the only FDA-approved use of CBD is a prescription drug called Epidiolex, which treats seizure disorders. If you have any questions about your medication and the use of CBD, talk to your doctor or healthcare provider.
